Reviewed by Patricia Simms-Reeve Janice Hallett’s latest thriller has to almost be read without pause, as it grabs the reader’s interest and unrolls a plot that weaves and twists until the end. For the bulk of the book, no actual crime emerges to solve; however the dynamic between characters has an edgy ominous tone. Ben
Reviewed by Richard Tutin Religious communities are often the least understood part of the Christian faith. Usually found in the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Orthodox Churches these communities of women and men live and work together under a rule of life. Some are enclosed while others are regarded as active. The Order of the Blessed
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke Many journalists put their talents to use to write novels, but I doubt few would have attempted the range of genres that Sue Williams has. Her works range across biographies, true crime, travel, non-fiction and historical fiction. Some of her biographies include The Girl who climbed Everest, a shark attack survivor,
Reviewed by Colleen McLennan Maggie Alderson is a British author with extensive editing experience in both England and Australia. She is author of ten novels and four collections of her columns from Good Weekend magazine. Her children’s book Evangeline, the Wish Keeper’s Helper was shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s Literary Award. In her latest book,
Reviewed by Patricia Simms-Reeve The cosily indulgent title suggests an account of how family and others might deal with doing the best for an exceptionally intelligent child. This is not remotely like the plot of this surprising novel. A thriller, a psychological delving into the possible impact of motherhood and a scary supernatural experience all
Reviewed by E B Heath Dr. Richard Scolyer is a world-renowned melanoma pathologist and one of the world’s top melanoma researchers. He is co-director with Georgina Long at the Melanoma Institute Australia. In 2021 he was appointed Officer of the Order of Australia for his outstanding service to medicine in the field of melanoma and
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke Lėonie Kelsall’s latest book is part of her series set in South Australia in her fictitious town of Settlers Bridge, so when reading this story, it is no surprise when the reader comes across characters they may have encountered in her previous books. The Homestead in the Eucalypts was the origin
Reviewed by Norrie Sanders The endangered Gouldian finch is one of Australia’s prettiest birds and was named after Elizabeth Gould, by her husband John in 1841. He was already famed as “the Bird Man” (of England), yet in typical fashion, his claim on the finch conveniently overlooked the facts that it had been discovered already
Reviewed by Antonella Townsend There is something very appealing about the smaller pocket size hard cover book. In the case of Lemons are a Girl’s Best Friend it feels instantly delicious. This colourful little book would be the best present for anyone, not just girls, who value recipes for external and internal health. This is
Reviewed by Richard Tutin We have all seen them in our newspapers, magazines and now online at different websites. A steady stream is published each week with the invitation to try them out. What are they? The answer is recipes that can be made for any meal or snack depending on the situation. They reach
Reviewed by Antonella Townsend If I had to sum up Hervé Tullet’s Dot! Scribble! Go! in few words it would be ‘Confidence Builder’. This large hard cover book is pitched at a target audience between three and six-years-old. It steers the young brain to represent their environment with pride and imagination. I write from a
Reviewed by Antonella Townsend Enid Blyton must be glowing green with envy in her grave. Children’s literature is imaginative light years away from days of yore, although brave twelve-year-old and ten-year-old characters are still saving the day. Although in We Do Not Welcome Our Ten-Year-Old Overlord by Garth Nix, they are busy saving the world from
Reviewed by Richard Tutin Australians know that summer has well and truly arrived when Test Cricket is promoted and broadcast. Over the years Australia has hosted many great teams: England, New Zealand, South Africa and Pakistan immediately come to mind. We should not forget India in this list of worthy adversaries who have come to
Reviewed by Rod McLary Natalie Conyer first came to my attention when her book – her second book – Shadow City was published in Australia in 2024. I reviewed it in these pages and said: The author has crafted a taut and tense novel which engages the reader from the beginning and doesn’t ease up
Reviewed by Antonella Townsend When a book reappears after forty years it just has to be something special. So, Emily Rodda’s debut novel Something Special is aptly titled having been a children’s fantasy favourite for many years, winning the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year for Younger Readers Award in 1985. Although